The long pending problem of the lack of pedestrian crossover facilities on the highly-congested Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg is finally going to be solved. Subhendu Ray reports.

The long pending problem of the lack of pedestrian crossover facilities on the highly-congested Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg is finally going to be solved.

Keeping the safety of pedestrians in view, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has decided to build two subways on the stretch between ITO and Delhi Gate.

This particular 400-metres long-stretch of the BSZ Marg is extremely busy and currently there is just one subway to cater to the requirements of the thousands pedestrains.

The subways will be made functional by 2016, when the proposed underground metro stations at ITO and Delhi Gate on the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate corridor will be thrown open to the public.

Construction work on the stretch began about a week ago.

While one subway will be constructed near Pearelal Bhawan, near the ITO crossing, as part of the ITO Metro station, the other will come up near the Ferozshah Kotla stadium as part of the Delhi Gate station.

“These subways will help pedestrians, especially senior citizens and women, cross the busy road,” said Anuj Dayal, chief spokesperson of DMRC. “Both subways will have escalators/lifts for convenience of pedestrians,” he added.

The subway near ITO crossing will connect Peareylal Bhawan with the INSA building on the other side of Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. This subway will be 175 metres long and will have escalators on both sides.

The subway near Ferozshah Kotla stadium will connect the stadium side with Lok Nayak Hospital on the other side of BSZ Marg.

This subway will be 150 metres long, and will also have escalators on both sides.

“Both these subways will be part of the entry/exit points at the ITO and Delhi Gate Metro stations respectively. They will, however, be located in the unpaid area and therefore, general pedestrians who just wish to cross the busy road above will be able to use these subways,” said Dayal.

“This is a wonderful initiative by Delhi Metro and will bring huge relief to pedestrians crossing the stretch,” said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).